The Jimenez Family

What is better than having one uncle staying at your house??? TWO uncles staying at your house!!! :-)

Jason's brother, Jeremy, has spent the last week with us - all the way from Alaska! We have loved having him here and the kids are really enjoying two uncles that play monster, tag, hide-n-seek, sword fighting....and on and on and on! Jeremy gets really crazy with the kids...and then Matthew joins in and its just pure craziness at our house!!!

Yesterday we ALL headed to the church for Family Day with the highschool and junior high and their families. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time of fellowship with the students and their parents.

One of our graduates from last year, was taking some great pics throughout the day...she even captured Jackson's first moment of independence...standing on his own!!! :-)

He's up!!!

He's wobbly...

And...he's down!

Almost every night, before we go to bed, Jason and I have little love notes awaiting us behind our pillows. That special spot has become the mailbox for all inter-house mail! :-) Amy is usually the creator and deliverer of these notes. Although, Tyler did do a six part series for us the other day...chronicling his growth over the last few years! :-) It was so cute!!!

"Mommy,

You are so pretty."

"Here is your precious baby. I love.

Love Amy"

We have several stacks of these laying around the house in different spots...reminding us that we are loved and appreciated. And reminding us of what sweet, talented, thoughtful children we have been blessed with!

I love Daddy. Love Amy

You are so awesome.

One of the nights Jason was in New York...Tyler put on a puppet show for Amy and I. He had been asking all day if he could do one...and finally...after baths and Jackson was snuggled down for the night...we settled in for Tyler's Puppet Show!!!

First, he had to go over the rules...of course! Those were:

1. No talking.

2. You can laugh...and clap.

3. You can snuggle but NO closing your eyes (this was directed towards me!)

4. Take lots of pictures!

5. And every time one of the puppets says, "I'm back" - you have to say, "You're back indeed." (I have no idea where that came from! ;-)

It was a great show...Tyler was very creative with his "script". Amy was entranced the whole time and really took it seriously! It was a fun way to end the night...and I'm told there are many more puppet shows ahead in our future!

We tried to stay as busy as possible while Jason was in New York. I wanted to have a "fun activity" planned for each day...trying somewhat to distract the kids from Daddy's absence. By the end of the week, we were EXHAUSTED!!! And counting down the hours until Jason came home!

Friday night, we decided to head over to Stonecrest with the Bruce family for ice cream and live music. It was a bit chilly - but that didn't stop the kids from dancing to the music, chowing down on ice cream, and playing tag around the fountains!

The babies had their own "moves"!

Thankfully, I had an extra pair of hands to help me keep up with my lil munchkins! My brother, Matthew, has recently moved to Charlotte and is staying with our family for awhile. He is quickly getting acclimated to little children running here and there. The kids have LOVED having Matthew here...and I certainly appreciated his help this past week!

The boys got a little chilly and decided to go indoors. They sat at a little table by the window so we could keep an eye on them. Every time we checked...they were laughing and talking! We only wish we knew what they had been talking about!!!

It was such a fun night and thankfully...they all fell asleep on the way home! And dreamt about Daddy coming home the next day!!!

This past week Jason was with several of our highschool students in New York City on a missions trip. They left last Friday and spent a week jam-packed with ministry, fellowship, silliness, NY pizza, and spiritual growth. These teens left as giddy, carefree youth and came home...somber, eternity-minded, disciplemakers.

Throughout the week they led a VBS outreach for over 2000 inner-city kids, served meals at homeless shelters, prayer walks around Central Park, spent around 20 hours traveling on the subway, and the last night they served dinner at an AIDs residency. They learned how to look past the outward appearance, step out of their comfort zone, and share their Jesus with others.

Jason...in China Town

They left Charlotte with many different expectations of the trip...and apprehensions of what might be ahead. But these students willingly surrendered their fears and their insecurities and became open vessels to the Lord. And He used these students to reach out to lonely, broken, poverty-stricken, abandoned, hopeless people of New York.

On Sunday, each of the members of the team shared with the youth group about their experience. Out of twelve students...over half of them broke down in tears about the condition of the people in New York. They implored their fellow students to make the most of every opportunity God has given them in their own backyard. This is one spring break they are unlikely to forget!!!

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring Good News,

who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion,

"Your God reigns!"

Isaiah 52:7

After Tyler's very *exciting* game on Saturday we headed over to an Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza at a church right next to our neighborhood. Tyler was a little tired from his game but as soon as he saw all the jumping castles, smelled the popcorn and fresh baked cookies...he perked right up!!!

Amy's not much for jumping in when she doesn't know anyone. She actually spent most of the time drawing with sidewalk chalk! Definitely my "arts and crafts" little girl! I think she liked to look at all the different creations and see her picture there with the others!!!

Tyler had several close scores that morning during his soccer game (all the excitement added a few new gray hairs to my poor head!). So when we got to the festival he headed straight to the soccer challenge. He's getting ready...brushing up on his skills...watch out Congo...we'll be ready for you next week!!!

Jackson was content to stay snuggled up in his stroller. He garnered all the attention of the older ladies at the church...and was oooed and ahhhed over the entire time! He just batted his long eyelashes and kept a tight grip on his graham cracker (yes, he ate five whole crackers that afternoon! but at least he was happy!!)

Although the sun was out in full force, it was still a bit chilly. The kids stayed bundled up most of the morning...but that didn't stop them from grabbin a snowcone and sippin it down! Notice the bright blue lips!!!

Our sweet friends, the Gotts, showed up just in time for the Resurrection story and the egg hunt. The kids filed into one of the classrooms for the resurrection eggs presentation. Amy takes this very seriously...and sat transfixed while the pastor talked about the crucifixion. Her eyes got big when the nails were shown and her little brow furrowed with the crown of thorns. Its amazing to watch her heart play on her face as Easter truly comes alive for her this year! She raised her hand several times and asked some questions. Of course, the pastor came over later and asked if we attended church anywhere...and wondered if she goes to Sunday school?? :-)

The egg hunt was probably a smidgen below "EXTRAVAGANZA" but the kids still had a blast searching for their eggs! And with all the eggs they brought home...it saves me one more trip to the store!!! :-) They all spent the rest of the afternoon hiding the eggs in our backyard and taking turns searching for them!!!

IMAGINATION: the ability of forming mental images, sensations and concepts,
in a moment when they are not perceived through sight, hearing, or other
senses. The faculty through which we encounter everything.

A diaper box. Diapers that need to be put away. A box that needs to be broken down and put in the recycling bin. A dent in the budget for the cost of the diapers. That is my thought process when I see a box of diapers.

Amy and Tyler - not restricted by my boundaries and inhibitions - see the box for what it can be. The fact that it is filled with diapers does not prove to be a limitation...only an obstacle. They can see past the obvious and create a myriad of different functions for this little object made of cardboard. What they see with their eyes does not prove to be the only reality available.
Instead, they draw on all things past to create a new present. Those being: a parade, a boat trip, an airplane ride, a chase involving a very noisy police officer, and a very cozy (albeit slow) car trip for one happy baby!

As I watched this box transform before my eyes...I realized how similar faith is to imagination. Too often I am reliant on only what is visually in front of me - not what is eternally prepared for me. I forget that my reality is not based only on those things that can be defined by the tangible...but on the hope and the promise of a Saviour. Where I look and see a sinful, struggling heart...God looks and sees the beauty of what it can be.

Imagination is a gift given to us by our Creator. A gift that is often seen only in the young. But nonetheless a gift that serves as a reminder that He is the Author and Perfecter of all that is unimaginable in us!

There was a dark cloud hanging over the Jimenez house this morning. The dreaded immunization visit was scheduled for today...for Jackson and Amy...which meant several shots and lots of tears. There was a certain person in our household...no names mentioned...that was super relieved that it was not his turn for the visit. He did little to hide his relief and actually talked a little TOO much about shots and what they entail. Thus, there was probably more dread than necessary for poor Amy!
But we had reinforcements! Daddy came to the doctor with us and promised a special treat for the brave patients! (And the brave PARENTS!) So after shots, we headed to get some yummy pizza.

After pizza, the kids and I headed to art class. They are working very hard on a special project that I hope to show y'all in about a week or two. I guess I could just post pictures of how dirty their clothes have been over the last few weeks - in the process of this "art-making" but that would spoil the surprise!

Today they made a huge maze, collage with strips of paper. More accurately this is interpretive art at its best...every time I've asked what they made its been "interpreted" differently! :-)

But whatever it is...it served its purpose in leaving those yucky shots far behind!

"Mommy, I don't even feel my shots anymore!" So thank goodness for fun times and art class!!!

He can't even crawl yet...still doing the "army-man-scoot".

But every time I turn around he's standing tall!

Checkin out the leftover popcorn crumbs...

Trying to walk...

After naps...

Playing with toys...

Up the stairs...AHHHH!!!

We hit the jackpot last week. The consignment jackpot! Two times a year I buy clothes, toys, shoes, etc for the kids...and I try and only buy them at consignment sales. I have two little helpers that beg to go with me and lend their expertise in "helping" me pick out new toys.

This year, they both had left over birthday money and were making some "large" purchases (large being anything over $1 which is the norm for Mom!). We also needed to pick out a couple of big boy toys for Jackson to play with as rattles are just not quite cutting it anymore.

Needless to say, we done good! Jackson had a blast sitting amongst all the new toys while Jason meticulously sanitized them with wipes.

How can I get my mouth on this?

Saturday morning we were greeted by a bright, WARM sun...beckoning us to come out and play. Tyler had his first soccer game so we suited up and headed out to the fields. It was a beautiful (albeit still rather blustery) day to play soccer. Tyler is still getting used to kicking, running, and having a ball at his feet...but he did a great job!!

Havin fun in the sun!!

Have you ever played a game that literally makes your sides hurt from laughing so hard? Have you ever played a game that makes you rearrange the furniture in the room you are playing in...all the while talking like an interior decorator? Have you ever played a game that makes you chew on a piece of gum and every time someone draws a card you have to "bah" like a goat?

Not only did we play that game last night...we played it with twenty high school juniors! I laughed till I had tears running down my face!!!

Jason and I have been on the look out for a new, exciting, hysterical, ice-breaking, knee-slapping, group forming game. And I think we hit the jackpot yesterday. Quelf ranks up there with Catch Phrase, Cranium, and Balderdash...but I think it moved into a different echelon when someone drew the card:

Sing the following sentence four times. "Remember when the heart would beat blindly with the delight of a pigeon's twitch." Use each of the following vocal styles once: rap, opera, country and gospel.

With Quelf...you never know what you're gonna get. Its total randomness at its zenith. But bravado and peer pressure make it impossible to put the card down without making a complete fool of yourself and completing the challenge set forth.

So...next time you have a bunch of friends around...bypass the ole faithful stand-by games. Go for the one that brings out everyone's inner-child and their true hidden talents. You might be a little surprised at what the game reveals. And it will definitely bond you together in a way unimaginable!

PS The Higher Level group will DEFINITELY be playing this game!!!!!!!!

It was inevitable. I had hoped to avoid it...but it would not be deterred.
The flu bug has arrived.
So far it has only claimed one poor victim, Amy, but claim her it did! She is over the worst of it right now but still very weak.
During my constant running back and forth to the bathroom with Amy, Tyler was put in charge of "watching over JJ". He took his responsibility very seriously and kept Jackson laughing throughout the entire day. They played with Tyler's toys - yes, there is much drool that needs to be cleaned off the GI Joes now - and they read books (somewhat). They bonded as brothers!
Though it was definitely not a fun way to spend the last two days...it was sweet to watch Tyler and Jackson together. And during the worst moments with Amy, I received many blessings from her. She tends to yell when she gets sick (really yell!)
And these were the snippets I heard yesterday, in the middle of being sick - bless her sweet little heart:
"Mommy, I hate being sick...I can't do this."
"I need my Daddy."
"I love you, Mommy, so much."
"I am so thankful to have a Mommy like you."
"Thank you for holding my hand, Mommy."
"You are the best Mommy ever."

So, rejuvenated and feeling loved, I am ready for whatever comes next. I hope! :-)

PS Sorry there are no cute pics of Tyler and Jackson playing...or Amy snuggling in her bed. In all honesty, there were very few moments over the last 48 hours that I had anything in my hand other than Lysol or paper towels!!! :-)

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